Scientific Method - Review

Independent/Dependent Variables

100

Read the hypothesis and identify the independent variable and the dependent variable. If a plant receives fertilizer, then it will grow to be bigger than a plant that does not receive fertilizer.

Independent Variable: The amount of fertilizer the plant receives. Dependent Variable: How big the plant grows.

200

What is an independent variable?

An independent variable is the factor in an experiment that can be changed by the scientist.

300

What is a dependent variable?

A dependent variable is the factor in an experiment that depends on the changes that were made.

400

Read the experiment below and identify the independent and dependent variables. A student was walking home from school and noticed that the leaves on the trees were changing colors. She wondered if the temperature affected the changing color of the leaves on the trees.

The independent variable is the temperature. The dependent variable is whether or not the leaves change color.

500

Identify the independent and dependent variables in the experiment below. A student uses three different types of water to make ice cubes (tap water, distilled water, sparkling water). He wonders which one will melt the fastest.

The independent variable is the type of water used to make the ice cube. The dependent variable is the time it takes to melt.

Graphing

100

What does the title of a scientific graph always need to include?

The title of a scientific graph always needs to include the independent variable and the dependent variable.

200

Which variable goes on the x - axis (horizontal)? Which variable goes on the y - axis (vertical)?

The independent variable goes on the x - axis. The dependent variable goes on the y - axis.

300

What does each label on the graph need to include?

Each label on the graph needs to include a unit of measurement.

400

True or False. A graph does not need to use equal intervals or equal spacing on the x - axis and y - axis.

False.

500

Make a title for a graph using the following information. If I increase the temperature of the water, then the salt will dissolve faster than if I lowered the temperature of the water.

The effect of water temperature on the time it takes salt to dissolve.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Observations

100

When observing the time it takes the sun to set Randy states that it took the sun 2 hours and 25 minutes. Is this a qualitative or quantitative observation?

This would be a quantitative observation.

200

Sara observes the birds at the zoo. She states that one of the birds has a very ugly beak. Is this an appropriate qualitative observation? Why or Why not?

This is not an appropriate qualitative observation because a qualitative observation has to be a fact. Stating that something is ugly is an opinion, it can not be proven true.

300

What is a qualitative observation?

A qualitative observation describes the quality of something mainly using adjectives. It uses the 5 senses, and it has to be a fact.

400

What is a quantitative observation?

A quantitative observation is a measurement of something. It will always involve a number and it must be precise.

500

Give me 2 qualitative and 2 quantitative observations about my IU flag

Answers will vary.

Steps of the Scientific Method I

100

The results of the experiment showed that if I added weight to the tip of my plane that it flew 3 more meters down the hallway. What part of the scientific method is this?

This would be a conclusion.

200

Jamie will take 4 different types of bread and leave them out on the counter. She will observe the cheese and see how long it takes each of them to develop mold. What part of the scientific method is this?

Experiment

300

If I use more soap to wash my dog, then he will stay clean longer. What part of the scientific method is this?

Hypothesis

400

When Joseph came home from school he noticed that the grass in the lawn was extremely shorter than when he left for school. He came to the conclusion that his dad must have mowed the lawn during the day. Is this an example of an observation, an inference, or a hypothesis?

Inference

500

What is the mnemonic device we used to learn the 6 steps of the scientific method?

Queen Requests Her Toast Dipped in Chocolate

Random Questions

100

Does the amount of cheese put on a mousetrap attract more mice? What part of the scientific method is this?

Question

200

Why is it important for an experiment to be able to be repeated?

It is important for an experiment to be repeated because it would cut down on the amount of mistakes that might have been made by one person.

300

When measuring the amount of liquid in a graduated cylinder, you must read the measurement from the bottom of the meniscus. What is the meniscus?

The meniscus is the curve that is created when the liquid is in the graduated cylinder. In order to get an accurate measurement, you must read from the bottom of the curve.

400

What are the 6 steps of the scientific method? In order!

Question, Research, Hypothesis, Test, Analyze the data, Conclude the data

500

In what order do you read the triple beam balance?

100s, 10, 1s